Looking for ways to upgrade your wooden furniture? If your wooden furniture has become dull with time and lacks the shine it once had, you can opt for staining the wood to add new life to it. Here we have compiled a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results.

1.    Preparing the Surface of Your Wooden Furniture

Begin by sanding the wooden surface using coarse sandpaper. Then replace your old sandpaper with a medium grit or finer grit sandpaper and continue sanding the wooden surface until it becomes smooth and even. Don’t forget to use a clean, dry cloth to remove the dust when sanding the surface.

Then clean the wooden surface using mineral spirits and a sponge or rag. This helps in adding color variations to the wood. Once you’ve done the cleaning, apply some wood conditioner to the surface. This step will help in softening the surface, allowing for better absorption of the stain.

2.    Staining the Wood

Using a rag, sponge, or brush, apply the stain to the wooden surface. Move-in the direction of the grain, not against it. The longer you leave the stain, the darker the finish will be. There are two types of stains available in the market – water-based and oil-based. Water-based stains are known to be non-toxic and can be cleaned easily with water. Oil-based stains are more user-friendly and come in a gel or liquid form. These, however, emit stronger fumes and are difficult to clean up.

3.    Applying a Finish to the Surface of the Wood

Once the stain has dried completely, apply a finish to keep the wood and stain protected. You will find a huge variety of finishing options in the market, depending upon the desired results. Polyurethane is the most sought-after finishing option in the market, due to its durability. You can also use tung oil to finish off the surface of the wood.

This step-by-step guide will help you transform the appearance of your dull, old furniture into a brand new one in a matter of a few hours!